Watch for motorcycles. But if you're not going to, at least use your damn blinkers.

[Glassunion]

There are a lot of things that annoy me while I'm driving. Folks who will drive all day in the far left lane without passing anything, folks who don't yield the right of way at a stop or yield, others who play with their f**king phones or tie their shoes or put on makeup or read a book or play the trumpet (I've actually seen this) or juggle tennis balls (I've seen this too) while driving. Not using your indicators is one of them. It's like you just want to kill someone.

I swear it must be a past time here in my area... Dawdle in the left lane for miles, ensure you get at least 2 miles of annoyed drivers stacked up behind you, or passing you on the right, then at the last possible second cut across two lanes to take your exit without signaling. Every, friggen, day... I can excuse tractor trailers for this (see: Elefantenrennen) because they don't have the passing power of cars. But there is no reason for a passenger vehicle to be hanging out in the left lane not going around anyone.

I got curious to see if there was any data on not using blinkers causing accidents. As it turns out, failing to properly indicate your intentions to other drivers causes more accidents than distracted driving (see link below). There really is no excuse not to signal. We've had indicators on our cars for over 100 years now, so it's not really a new technology. It requires the most minimum of effort to use, and it can save lives.

As a motorcyclist, I've had many close calls. Many. When you use your indicators, you are giving me a heads-up on exactly how it is you plan to kill me. This gives me time to accommodate your intentions and give you the room you need to change lanes or make a turn.

Luckily automotive engineers have a solution that will hopefully be coming soon. A turn signal assistant, that will warn you in a way similar to your neglected seat belt warning, if you are not using your blinkers when you should be. The latest advancements in technology have been awesome... Self braking systems (bikers get rear ended a lot at stops), backup warnings, lane monitoring, blind-spot indicators. I love it when passing a car, and can see that yellow warning light on their side-view mirror double checking that the driver knows I'm there. Hopefully this will gain traction and start to become a part of every new vehicle. http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/30/turn-signal-neglect-results-in-over-twice-as-many-crashes-as-dis/#continued (I know it's an old article)

Now if only there was a system that would let a driver know that they should not be camping out in the passing lanes.

[liberal N proud]

1. I will use my blinkers because that is the law and is courteous

But I will not take extra care to watch for motorcycles.

They are sharing the road with the rest of us and are not any more special than anyone else.

[Glassunion]

7. Saying watch for motorcycles does not equal them being more special.

It means that 2/3 of motorcycle deaths are caused by automobile drivers not seeing them.

Most drivers are great and pose no risk. Just like this morning. Hundreds of drivers shared the road with me, only one tried to kill me.

[AuntPatsy]

31. I would hope you do take extra care and not just for motorcycles, case in point it would

be nice if people were aware bikes do not have the ability to back up quickly enough to get out of the way of some fool who instead of turning (blinker is on, car rolling forward) decides to back up quickly without taking the time to view just whom is behind him.

This time it was us on a bike, thankfully big enough to take a good hit which more than likely saved some broken bones..

It's not that bikers think they are special any more than a pedestrian, skate boarder etc... We all share the same venue which makes us all responsible for others on the roads, sidewalks etc...period,

[GoneOffShore]

37. Not more special but a damn sight more vulnerable.

[liberal N proud]

40. And that is why I quit riding motorcycles

One scare was enough for me.

[Art_from_Ark]

68. It can be much more difficult to see a motorcycle than a car.

I knew at least two people from high school who were killed in motorcycle accidents because the driver of a car didn't see them.
And it can be particularly difficult to see them if they are coming from the east in the early morning, or from the west in the late afternoon.

[Corporate666]

67. They kind of are

They are very vulnerable and in an accident, they get broken bones, lost limbs, paralysis and death whereas a car driver gets a dented fender.

Not giving accommodation when it is so easy to do is similar to parking in an EV-only spot at the mall because "they aren't special, I can park wherever I want"

[2naSalit]

2. !!!

Absolutely! I used to ride but I have always been cautious because they are harder to see. And I always use my blinkers, drive with headlights on. Where I live, I swear the tourists are adversely affected by the elevation... after they get above 5,000ft, they can't remember what stop signs are or are for, the rules just don't apply to them... though I speculate that it has to do with the lack of oxygen for whatever functioning brain cells they may possess. We have so many accidents during the tourist season and hardly ever any when they are not here.

So drive carefully AND safely everyone!! Have a great summer!

[mercuryblues]

3. Anyone who has ever driven

with me, will recognize who I am with this phrase....

You gotta fucking blinker...use it

[Downwinder]

4. Give a thought to pedestrians, too. Like motorcycles

they don't have any armor.

[Glassunion]

5. That should have its own OP.

The death rate is terrible.

[Downwinder]

6. 150 lbs. of soft tissue does not stand up well to

a couple thousand pounds of metal.

[Glassunion]

9. I haven't done the math, but the kinetic energy stored is probably ridiculous.

What's the calculation? KE=1/2M*V²

4,000lbs and 35mph = 1814kg and 15meters per second (I'm rounding)...

J=(1814*.5)15²
204,075 = Joules

Roughly the equivalent of being shot by 113 standard issue Army M16 rifles all at once.

Ok... I just did the math.

[whistler162]

69. Especially those absorbed in their cell phones!

[IDemo]

8. Sold the bike last Fall and likely won't be getting another one

I have seen so many drivers who apparently feel their brains are just another cpu core attached to their phones that it amazes me there aren't a thousand accidents daily around here. I got pushed out of my lane more than once by non-signalling motorists as well. No more.

[Glassunion]

10. I love it too much.

There are places that I'll never ride though. Downtown anywhere, and all of Florida.

[IDemo]

11. I've ridden most of my life since my first bike in 1979, a Honda 750

It's not an easy thing to leave behind, but this area isn't safe anymore in my opinion. Health and money are factors in my case as well.

[Glassunion]

13. 35'ish years ago, started on the Honda 50 Dirt bike

first street bike was a '79 Honda CB250. Motor mounts dry rotted, thing shook like a Saturn 5 Rocket. Graduated to BMW R90, she was smooth as silk.

I'm currently on a Harley, but the Indian is looking quite tempting.

[IDemo]

20. Yep, the Indians and Victory both look impressive

I'd need a PowerBall win to get too close to anything like that on the market these days, though.

[JanMichael]

12. i always do. plus i stop STOP at stop signs. and i do not slide between lines of cars. thanks.nt

[Glassunion]

14. I think filtering is a great idea, especially for us air-cooled folks, and those who don't want to

be rear-ended. But this is 'Merica. Even if legal, I'd probably get shot for moving faster than traffic.

[JanMichael]

32. i have no idea what you mean. i STOP at stop signs do you you? or do you rollllll?

i use my signals and look all sudes and have my mirrors adjusted where i can see bith ends of my carr. hat is what i am talking about..

do i whimper and salivate for bikes motorized or not? no they are a part of the roadway. personally i wish there was better waliking and tram options everywhere

[petronius]

15. I have never understood why people don't signal - it's barely a twitch of

a finger to turn them on, and most of the time they go off automatically. WTF, people, just signal!!

(And also watch for motorcycles. And bicycles. And pedestrians. And stray animals. And wide-turning trucks. And school buses. And road-workers, cops, garbage-men. Etc. It's just driving--not rocket science--but it deserves a little attention... )

[Glassunion]

16. We could do the Watch For:___________

forever. However my personal favorite was a toilet. An inflatable toilet (yes, they exist), blew off someone's yard right into my path. It was at least 8 feet tall.

I braked, then let off, rolled on the throttle, leaned hard to the left and skirted around back to the right.

I can only image my autopsy report.... Death by inflatable toilet...

[petronius]

21. Well, even if I *had* continued the listing forever, I was still never

going to get to inflatable toilet!

Glad you dodged it (even if you did miss out on having your very own epitaph down in the Weird News group)...

[Glassunion]

24. I do not believe in telepathy, or precognition... Period...

However, there is something in me that says I will expire in the most extraordinary and humiliating fashion.

Mr. Union was found face down, ass up in a pool of chicken noodle soup, 7 stab wounds to the face, a 20 year old phone bill in his back pocket, a handful of losing lottery tickets in his right hand and a raven's feather in his right, a copious amount of green eye shadow over his left eye, his zipper undone and his "gentleman's sausage" dangling in the breeze, while wearing a Mötley Crüe t-shirt and a pair of Jams.

[flying rabbit]

35. Epic!

[kentauros]

17. I have noticed some people using their signals...

...after they are halfway into a turn or a lane-change. And I'd really like to tell them there isn't any reason to signal at that point.

[Glassunion]

18. How about the folks in a compact car who swing the turn wide like they are trailing a 50 foot

trailer?

[kentauros]

19. First off, I'm not a motorcycle rider; I never learned.

But just yesterday I had to swerve my little Civic out of the way of an even smaller compact doing exactly the same thing in my local neighborhood. The corners give plenty of room to make the turn; they're not squared off.

No, I don't really understand that mentality. Same goes for people in any modern vehicle that "goes wide" on the corners. I've seen people go all the way over on a two-lane road just to make the turn. No trailer, not driving a bus. The only thing that comes to mind is the typical American drivers' abhorrence to curves and corners of any kind. "Gotta flatten it out! It's smoother that way." No wonder Top Gear and other Europeans always make fun of American cars and their antiquated suspension systems.

[Glassunion]

22. Well... This is 'Merica

Cars go fast in a very straight line.

I love Top Gear (UK).

I was saddened that Clarkson ruined it for the group. He should have been fired. But I will watch their new project, as well as the latest incarnation of the new Top Gear. I've been watching since before Clarkson. I'll watch after too.

[kentauros]

26. I agree with you about Clarkson.

And while he was with the show, as much of an ass he was, he was still funny, especially when he did get to be blown away by "POWER!"

I'd love to see the new series, but these old apartments don't have cable, so no streaming services. (I stay because of perks, including the seeming durability of the buildings during hurricanes.)

I have a friend who would sometimes ride with me, and he'd always criticize how I would "take" corners. He never seemed to notice that I also hugged the curb, never hitting it, and always staying in my lane. And yet he'd ride his Indian (or whatever antique it was) down the main drag of this neighborhood at 50+ (it's a 35 zone with houses facing the median-divided blvd.)

He finally hit someone as they were pulling out of one of the side streets. He said the driver "froze" upon seeing my friend upon him. But I'd say, in the defense of the driver that he likely didn't see my friend until way too late as that particular road comes out at the bottom of a dip in the blvd, and one can't see fast traffic approaching it.)

[Corporate666]

65. This is

an epidemic lately.

Around where I live, it seems 50% of drivers move to the farthest left of the road before making a right turn... and to the farthest right before making a left turn.

It's incredibly stupid. What are they accomplishing? They have to turn the wheel 3 degrees less to make the turn? Meanwhile the guy who saw them put their left blinker on and was going to go slowly around them has to slam on his brakes as they suddenly veer right at the last moment.

Utterly idiotic.

[kentauros]

82. After rereading my post, I think I didn't explain part of it properly.

I see the "go wide" mentality when people are turning right onto a two-way neighborhood road. That is, after they've left their initial road and are getting into the neighborhood road, they go all the way across that road before coming back to the right side again. If you're approaching that intersection from within the neighborhood, you have to brake while they mosey back over to their side of the road again. Pickup truck drivers seem to be the ones doing this most often.

[X_Digger]

23. My wife is sick of hearing me say, "Nice turn signal, dipshit!"

I seem to be one of like five people in Texas who: a) use their turn signals when turning or changing lanes *always*, and b) don't cross a solid white line just to make merging easier (Texas even has signs that say 'Do Not Cross Solid Line', but some dumbfuck always has to get one car ahead).

[Glassunion]

25. My recollections of Texas' method of merging into traffic...

If you're already in traffic = Watch the F**k out!!!
If you're merging = Floor it, and F**k all else.

[X_Digger]

27. Sounds about right, unfortunately.

Also, the corollary, never leave a gap between you and the car in front of you that a car in the next lane could get into.

I swear, I drive about 95 miles round trip each day, and 9 days out of 10, I see at least one 'accordion' wreck- where one jerk bucks up and slows down to get over, gets nailed by the dipshit following too closely, who gets nailed by the dipshit behind him.

[Glassunion]

29. the middle idiot was "Crumplezonin"

[Mariana]

51. I have to say, Texas is the only place

where I've seen road signs telling people to look at the road signs.

OBSERVE WARNING SIGNS
STATE LAW

[kentauros]

80. How many bullet holes were in those signs?

[SoLeftIAmRight]

28. i notice that many donercycle drivers here are very reckless

seem that they should be the one getting some words of wisdom

[Glassunion]

30. Perception.

If you actually count the numbers, you'll find it's not a majority.

If I were to count the number of folks trying to kill me on a daily basis, the percentage is quite low. 215 cars shared the road with me... and only one tried to kill me. That's less than 1%. So, 99% of folks are awesome.

That's how I look at it.

[JanMichael]

34. so if you ride 101 times then what? sounds risky on a daily basis.

and i rode a suzuki off road on road 250ish to school in kansas during winter when i was 16.

i also had a honda nighthawk 650 in college. it was ok riding in traffic when i basically drove t he same way as i would a car. no one tried to kill me...ever.

but i rode in a nice way too. even when young and dumb i kept the speed down. i limited the chances of crearing problems with speed. accidents happen but...

[Glassunion]

39. I do not ride fast. The only way my bike will hit 100mph is if I drive it off a cliff.

It is inherently risky. I am straddling a 500lb machine, and riding off at freeway speeds with nothing but gravity and the handlebars keeping me in place. My face is what stops the bugs, and road debris. I would have never imagined how painful it is to hit a falling leaf... It actually cut my face. I have to avoid obstacles that other vehicles can just drive right over. I smell everything from the fresh cut grass, to the decomposing skunk at the side of the road.

But I would not trade it for the world. Motorcycles are not to be feared. However, they should always be respected. They can kill you in many more imaginative ways than a car can, so you need to respect the bike. That said, sitting in a car is like waiting to get from point A to point B, but on a bike you are living in each moment between those two points. I'll take the latter.

[awoke_in_2003]

33. If I had a hundred dollar bill

for every time some cager tried to kill me I would be a rich man. I have been tempted to start carrying a hammer I know one thing for sure, ball bearings will get people off your ass.

[Human101948]

53. C'mon, they don't "try to kill you," because they don't even know you exist...

Years ago I was at a meeting of the Motorcycle Safety foundation where scientific studies were presented basically saying that most drivers see tractor trailers, some see other cars, and nobody sees motorcycles.

[awoke_in_2003]

60. Good point

But not a big comfort when you almost bite it. Cell phone people are the worst.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

36. I'm constantly amazed at how I'll be at a 4-way stop and THINK I've made eye contact with...

...a driver who subsequently tries to run me over like I wasn't there. So many people are in their own little worlds instead of being mindful of their surroundings.

[kentauros]

83. What I've noticed for stopsign intersections

is that drivers can't wait to get through the intersection, no matter who or what is in front of them. They refuse to let any vehicles clear the intersection before they even think of proceeding through. And they're usually gunning it as if to tell us that they don't have time to wait for the rest of us to get out of their way.

I always glare at the ones who can't wait for me to either get past them (as when they are coming from a side street) or at intersections. They never seem to understand why I'm glaring at them.

[Major Nikon]

38. The police enforcement of this is near zero

Predominately the police are writing traffic tickets for speeding. Things like failure to yield, failure to signal, tailgating, and many other things that cause accidents and deaths are rarely cited, despite most people doing these things routinely.

So the reason people do these things is because they will never be given a ticket for it unless they actually cause an accident and probably not even then.

I use my signal 100% of the time, even when I know nobody is around.

[REP]

41. Motorcyclists: please be aware of blindspots

I pull to one side so riders can split and I signal a bit earlier with a bike on the road. I've noticed, though, that some riders have forgotten Bike 101 about disappearing in a space the width of a pencil and will hang right in my blindspot for miles in clear traffic. In my car, I make an effort to stay out of other vehicles' blindspots - I realize my car is small and low enough to get right up in there, and it's in everyone's best interest for me not to be there. I wish more bikes would realize the danger to them is even higher.

[Glassunion]

42. On the whole, we are well aware of those spots.

But with anything, you do get those who ignore those rules.

I retake the MSF course every two years... I learn something new each time, and I get a rebate on my motorcycle insurance. They always go over blind-spots. I hate getting caught in them, and will always back off until I can get all the way around.

Here in the PA and NJ areas, filtering (lane splitting) is illegal. So in bumper to bumper I find myself hanging to the shoulder so I have room to bail if someone forgets that I'm there. Never take it out of gear in case I have to move quickly.

[REP]

56. MOST are, most of the time

It's the ones riding in shorts and sandals who tend to think my blind spot is the place to be ...

I'm in California where splitting is legal, so I start moving as soon as I see or hear a bike. My husband rides, and I hope to create good road karma for him

[One_Life_To_Give]

43. Turn Signals mark pure amatures

Every Boston driver knows that using such is like waving a Red Flag infront of a Bull. Can't let somebody pull in front of ME!. Get in line behind me you uncultured scum. And while we are talking about Boston, better bring a Dirt Bike. Gonna need it to get thru the potholes.

[Glassunion]

45. Two winters ago was the worst for potholes down here...

I hit one so bad my pee looked like pink lemonade for a week...

[One_Life_To_Give]

46. Had one like that ourselves

Fortunatly a Checker Cab failed to get back out of it, and has been smothing out the drive for countless Bostonians in the years since. Got to hand it to Checker, they made a Cab that could stand up to Boston Traffic. Even when it became part of the road.

[Glassunion]

50. It's tough... You can't tell how deep they are.

[cherokeeprogressive]

44. I've never had a license that didn't include the motorcycle endorsement. Giving up my bike at 55yo.

Started at 15 with a moped, graduated to a little 250 Enduro, 350 Honda, 750R Ninja, and now own a 2006 Harley-Davidson Road King. In 39 years of riding on the road legally I've NEVER put skin on the asphalt. These days it seems as though less and less people are involved with anything going on OUTSIDE their cars, and has arrived at the point where I no longer ride with the confidence I once did.

My Wife quit riding with me a couple years ago after a car cut us off on the freeway. Quick thinking, four decades of experience, and excellent training were the only things that kept us from going down in the middle of four lanes going 75mph or better. Now it's not as much fun without her on the back, so within the next few weeks the Road King will be available on Ebay.

39 years of knocking on wood. Now it's time to stop chasing that thrill and acknowledge extremely good luck mixed with care and caution.

Now watch me get killed in my car when a motorcyclist cuts me off LOL. My luck.

[lumberjack_jeff]

62. I'm 55 too. I'm hoping to go riding with my 26 year old son...

... my 70 year old brother and my friend's 83 year old dad sometime this summer.

Lose the scooter if you want to... but only if you want to.

[ieoeja]

47. You want me to move one of my fingers two inches? Fuck that shit!

Seriously though, I am with you in that this is my #1 irk when it comes to other drivers. It is so ... simple. Why would they not do it?

[LannyDeVaney]

48. I use, and will continue to use my turn signal for lane changes and turning...

as long as the motorcycle drivers know I'm changing into the next FULL lane, and not the dotted yellow line that some motorcycle drivers seem to think is a passing lane between two cars.

[ronnie624]

49. Motorcyclists need to slow the fuck down,

AND understand that they are FAR less visible to other motorists than cars and trucks. They need to to take some responsibility for their own risky behavior.

[Glassunion]

52. Not going to argue.

Just like crappy car drivers, there are crappy bike riders.

Most of us ride safe, just like most car drivers.

[ronnie624]

57. Motorcyclists are inherently more risk oriented than the average person,

hence the acceptance of the high level of risk associated with riding a motor bike. Usually, they're exceeding the posted speed limit, and in Texas (and probably any state where it isn't required), very few of them wear a helmet. When a motorcycle crashes at high speed, the results are always devastating. Motorcyclists need to either accept this fact, or find a safer form of transportation, and stop trying to hold others responsible for their choice.

[lumberjack_jeff]

61. Annoyance = recognition.

When I'm on a bike, I try to not be invisible. Occasionally, that means going fast. I'm sorry it bothers you, but at least I know you see me now.

[ronnie624]

63. Going fast doesn't make you more visible.

It does exactly the opposite. It makes it much more likely that someone will pull out in front of you, before it's possible to see you.

And you're making incorrect assumptions. Speeding motorcyclists don't bother me. I just find their behavior foolish, and the "watch for motorcycles" campaign silly. The unspoken, incorrect implications are, that motorcyclists are always careful, and that the responsibility for risk lies with others, when in fact, it is inherent to the act itself.

[Glassunion]

72. Why is the watch for motorcycles campaign silly? 56% of all motorcycle fatalities are from

drivers not watching for motorcycles. 78% of those fatalities are head on collisions the majority of which are are cars turning left across the motorcycle's path, or pulling out in front of the motorcycle.

Are the watch for pedestrians or bicycles campaigns silly too? Car drivers kill a lot of them each year too.

Motorcycles, pedestrians, and bicycles have every right to share the road with cars. Cars, trucks and SUVs are not a special class of vehicle with more rights than others. Some of us take public transport to work, others walk, others ride bicycles, some of us ride motorcycles, and the rest use passenger vehicles. Not one of those groups are any more special than the other.

The issue primarily is that in our cars we can be oblivious to world around us. We are in our quiet, air conditioned boxes, with a plethora of distractions. Such as our phones, radios, info-tainment systems, GPS, etc...

Saying to watch for motorcycles (pedestrians, bicycles) is not saying that you in your car are less special. It is saying that people are not watching as well as they should, and they are killing thousands of people each year.

[ronnie624]

74. Riding a motorcycle is inherently dangerous.

They are smaller and harder to see than larger vehicles. The rider is exposed and more susceptible to injury, and clearly less averse to risk than the average person, as evidenced by the fact that they ride a motorcycle.

There are many assumptions in your post, including the false claim that most or even all collisions between cars and motorcycles are the fault of the car driver.

Just accept the fact that riding a motorcycle is inherently dangerous--especially if you're not wearing a helmet--and that when you choose to ride one, you are assuming a lot of personal risk.

[Glassunion]

75. Yes, I am assuming personal risk, however this does not negate other drivers from being resposible.

As for the "assumptions" you mention, I was using current fatality numbers from the NHTSA (2013), and the findings from the latest funded report on all collisions.

Major findings from the report.

- Approximately 75% of motorcycle collisions involved a collision with another vehicle.
- In the multiple vehicle accidents, the driver of the other vehicle violated the motorcycle right-of-way and caused the accident in two-thirds of those accidents.
- The failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the predominating cause of motorcycle accidents. The driver of the other vehicle involved in collision with the motorcycle did not see the motorcycle before the collision, or did not see the motorcycle until too late to avoid the collision.

- Weather is not a factor in 98% of motorcycle accidents.

- The median pre-crash speed was 29.8 mph, and the median crash speed was 21.5 mph, and the one-in-a-thousand crash speed is approximately 86 mph-

So, in all collisions the median pre-crash speed is about 30mph, so there isn't a whole lot of "slowing the fuck down" that we can do. Besides that 1 in 1,000 jerk, he really needs to slow down.

P.S. I always were a DOT rated helmet.

[ronnie624]

77. You are casting about for others to assume responsibility

for the risk associated with a vehicle that is very hard to see and leaves you vulnerable to serious injury and death. It's just that simple. The underlying implication is that motorcyclists are safer and more observant that car drivers, and that simply does not jive with my experience.

[Glassunion]

79. I am doing no such thing. Saying watch for motorcycles, is not by any stretch

an intent to cast about for others to assume responsibility.

It is my responsibility to strap on a helmet, thick padded clothing, make myself as visible as possible, and ride in a safe and prudent manner. It is my responsibility to watch for pedestrians and all other vehicles. At every intersection, and when a vehicle is going to cross my path, I make the assumption that they do not see me. Even if I make eye contact with the driver. I'll cover my brakes, until the danger has passed.

It is a car driver's responsibility to drive in the same manner. They need to be aware of pedestrians and all other vehicles as well. Saying "watch for motorcycles" in essence, means that on the whole (your personal experience aside), drivers have demonstrated that they are in fact not watching for motorcycles.

Riding a motorcycle does not make me a better driver, but when I'm in my car, I'm watching for motorcycles. I give that intersection a second look, I look over my shoulder when changing lanes, I signal my turns and lane changes, etc... These are things all drivers should do. However, they do not. They do not take the heavy responsibility that operating a 2 ton vehicle seriously. Folks text, blab on the phone, fail to signal, etc... when they should be paying attention to what they are doing.

[ronnie624]

81. I made no comments about your personal riding habits. n/t

[GummyBearz]

54. You must live in LA

Sounds like my old experiences commuting

[Glassunion]

55. Eastern PA actually. About 25 miles north of Philly.

I commute into central NJ every day.

[oneshooter]

58. Then stop motorcycle riders from passing between the lanes

in slow traffic, at stop signs and anytime they want.

[Corporate666]

66. It's legal

in some places.

but that doesn't stop car drivers from swerving to try to block bike riders.

When you are moving along at 30mph and some guy in a car opens his door slightly to make you think he's going to block you - that's like pointing a gun at someone and pulling the trigger to let them hear the "click" and think you're going to shoot them.

It's mind boggling the things car drivers will do in order to "get even" with bikers they think are getting something they shouldn't be getting. Maiming or killing someone because you're angry that they are riding to the front of the line of cars? Seriously?

[lpbk2713]

59. Some drivers make up for others not using their turn signals.

Drive any of the Florida Interstates. You will see drivers going for miles with their turn signal on.

[former9thward]

64. Motorcyclists violate the speed limit far more than cars do.

And they zip between cars on the freeways going right down the middle. And then they wonder why they get hit.

[Glassunion]

71. "Motorcyclists violate the speed limit far more than cars do."

Would you have data to back up that claim? I'd be interested in seeing it.

[former9thward]

85. I drive on the highways.

And use my eyes. Perhaps you need a government report to verify what you see. I don't.

[Glassunion]

88. Ok then a more accurate statement for you to make would then be:

Of the motorcycles I have personally observed, they violate the speed limit far more than cars do.

[Thor_MN]

70. I have been in an accident with a motorcycle. And first on the scene of a motorcycle accident.

I was driving my pickup truck. He was riding his motorcycle and wearing a leather hat instead of a helmet. He was not injured (much).

I always give motorcycles extra room. Early spring is the worst time, IMO, for motorcycle accidents. Being cooped up all winter, the warm weather seems to make the riders want to go fast. The accident I drove up to occurred on the first warm day of spring, two kids on crotch rockets zipped around me like I was idling and turned right at the T intersection ahead, leaning their bikes way over to handle the speed they were carrying on city streets. One of them noticed that both lanes were occupied by vehicles turn left and right. The other didn't and laid his bike down to avoid hitting a construction vehicle. Some road rash, back pain and a messed up bike due to the first warm day, youthful indiscretion and a bike more powerful than his experience.

The accident that I was involved in, I was stopped at a light. The guy ran into the back of my Ford Ranger. He didn't have a license (DWI), no insurance, and was drunk.

There are some good motorcycle drivers out there that drive with the traffic, don't change lanes 10 times every half mile, don't try to go as fast as possible. And there are some idiots. I've picked two of them up off the ground and waited with them while the ambulance (or police) get there to haul them away.

[Blue_Tires]

73. Motorcyclists: Please slow the hell down

Please stop straddling the white line in the middle of the highway with five of your buddies when I'm about to change lanes...

And please stop squeezing your bike through a 5-foot gap between my car and another at 90 mph...

[Glassunion]

78. I fear it may be a bit of perception.

In group riding it is safer for the bikes to stagger their position, taking up both the right and left side of the lane. It makes them more visible.

But as for the speed, a lot of it is perception. A motorcycle is more maneuverable than a car, so we have the ability to maneuver through traffic quite easily. This can give the impression that they are speeding when in fact they may not be. If traffic slows up (I do not lane-split btw, it's illegal here), I will want a safety buffer around me. Basically I need at least 2 places to bail out to in the case that someone wishes to occupy the same space that I am in. For example, I may keep the right shoulder as on bail out opportunity and a space in the lane to my left. So, if someone starts tail-gaiting, I'll want to get away from them.

So, I'll bail out to the lane to my left and overtake the vehicle that was in front of me. Now, when overtaking I want to spend as little time as possible next to the vehicle in the right lane. They most likely did not notice me traveling behind them, and will not see me until I get in front of them. Now a bike is light, and has a higher power to weight ratio than most cars. So with very little effort, I can add 10 to 15mph in speed if need be to get around the car on the right very quickly. It is the safest way to do it. Never dawdle when over taking a vehicle. So, a gear down, and the rev's high, I get around them quickly. Now the driver in that vehicle may think that I came out of nowhere speeding like an asshole, because they did not notice me behind them before I overtook them, and now here I am, bike screaming as I pass them.

To that shit-head who split the lanes (illegal in your state) between your car and another at 90mph, have no worries. It's not a past time one will undertake for very long.

[villager]

76. Conversely, I've been making safe lane changes when a "lane splitting" cyclist sped up to go through

...without any kind of warning, of course.

This happened again recently, and I had to swerve back into my original lane to avoid hitting him.

[Major Nikon]

86. Lane splitting is legal in most of the world

In many (if not most) countries it is very routine. It's also quite legal throughout the US, although specific jurisdictions and a few states have outlawed it.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

84. In general it really ought to be harder to get a drivers license.

And anyone who is offended by the idea that there could be room for improvement in their attentiveness should start looking at bus schedules.

[Angel Martin]

87. idiotic car designs with huge blind spots

plus cell phone distractions have made it less safe for everyone

Motorcycles pay the biggest price because they are the most vulnerable.

maybe those blind sport warning signals will help, but I would rather be able to actually see.

and many people have trouble using half the electronic doodads on their cars anyway.

I don't know what to do about the cell phones. It is illegal in both the cities I live in, and doesn't seem to make any difference.